RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A 74-year-old man from Chapel Hill could spend decades in prison after allegedly shooting another man on Thursday night.
Geary Council is charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill after prosecutors say he shot another man during an argument.
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Geary Wayne Council, 74, is charged with attempted murder. (Courtesy Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
May Myat, a server at Pho Happiness who witnessed the shooting, said he couldn’t believe his eyes.
Myat said Council is an Uber delivery driver who often stopped by the restaurant.
“He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known,” said May Myat, a server at the restaurant who witnessed the shooting. “We talk about our families, so yeah, I was shocked.”
On Thursday night, Myat said they were chatting outside when a drunk man approached them and started hurling insults.
“He told the homeless guy, why did you say that? Why did you call me that if you don’t even know me? And then after a while, the homeless guy started punching him,” he said.
That’s when things took a violent turn.
Myat said Council went to his car to grab his gun, then fired four shots, hitting the man, identified as James McElligott, 44, who is expected to survive.
This marks the first shooting with injuries in Chapel Hill this year, according to town officials.
Council remains in the Orange County Jail with a $750,000 bond. Prosecutors said he could face up to 31 years in prison if convicted.
